EXPLORING INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION


...Comparing global education systems


CONSIDERING FUTURE MOVES It is vital that families choosing to enter the state education system of their destination country are advised to consider any future moves or possible repatriation issues. For example, in the USA, while the standard of state education is considered to be high, schools offer an entirely different learning curriculum from the UK, even differing from state to state within the country.


In addition, the US education system does not offer


an end-of-school assessment comparable to the British GCSEs and A Levels. Catherine Stoker, of The Independent Education Consultants, suggests that families making an inbound move to the UK would be well advised to take advantage of the special summer courses, or academic preparation courses, which are run at some independent and international schools. “For a child who has never studied in the British education system before, the UK classroom is a confusing place,” Ms Stoker says. “Not only do they have to overcome any language gaps, they may also be faced with unfamiliar subjects and methods of teaching. A preparation course acts as a bridge from the student’s school in their home country to a UK school, getting them used to teaching styles, lesson formats and classroom behaviour unique to the UK.”


COMPARING FINAL EXAMS With that in mind, if the child of an assignee is heading towards the completion of secondary or high school in the state education system of their host country, it will be necessary for the family to understand the levels of achievement required for entry into a higher-education institution or a profession. “When thinking about a new school, it’s very important


to look at the type of qualification and the corresponding curriculum it offers,” says John Ing, director of Dukes Education Group, a consultancy that provides families with education guidance and private tuition. “Certain qualifications may suit a child’s particular learning style, but, equally importantly, some are more useful for future applications to UK or US universities.”


Comparisons between end-of-school exam systems and/or methods of assessment of different countries are notoriously difficult to make. Ideally, families should be advised to avoid a move during this particularly tricky stage. If presented with this challenge, there are methods of determining the standards and equivalent levels


of


qualifications students will gain while the family is on an overseas assignment.


Above & Centre: International School of London Right: ACS Hillingdon International School


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